Prop. 1 is shortsighted, unneeded

Express-News Editorial Board

Published 5:52 pm, Friday, October 9, 2015

Photo: Eric Gay /Associated Press

Image 1of/1

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 1

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick charged the Senate State Affairs Committee with the task of studying and recommending how the state of Texas should work to affirm the constitutionally guaranteed religious liberty protections of all Texans. The first hearing is set for Feb. 17. less

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick charged the Senate State Affairs Committee with the task of studying and recommending how the state of Texas should work to affirm the constitutionally guaranteed religious liberty ... more

Photo: Eric Gay /Associated Press

Prop. 1 is shortsighted, unneeded

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

Proposition 1 on the November ballot will allow you to cut your property taxes. We recommend you don’t.

Yes, we realize this is the equivalent of asking you to forgo a chance to keep more of your hard-earned money. But we’re talking here of an average cut of $126 a year — $10.50 a month, or $2.42 a week.

It’s really not much on the individual level, but a “yes” vote will mean at least $1.2 billion per budget biennium — that’s billion with a “b” — less in state revenues available for other purposes. That’s the amount school districts won’t be collecting, with the state ponying up to make them whole.

This comes at a time when the Texas Supreme Court is mulling whether to force a big bill for school financing on the state (but even if it doesn’t, the Legislature should act anyway).

And it comes as anemic crude prices will certainly spell diminished revenues from the oil and gas industry. Moreover, other state services are simply inadequate.

These cuts will be permanent. Our needs will be considerably more fluid, growing as the state’s population does. The Legislature approved this measure’s placement on the ballot, by the way, while also cutting 25 percent from the business rate.

Technically, what’s on the ballot will be an expansion of the homestead exemption from the current $15,000 to $25,000 for the purpose of paying the property taxes that school districts impose.

The state, as outlined in separate enabling legislation, will make up that loss to schools from other sources.

But, again, that just means funding the status quo, not pumping in the money actually needed to make school financing constitutional.

A state district judge has ruled that Texas’ level of school funding is unconstitutional. The state has appealed to the Texas Supreme Court.

Property taxes are unpopular and can be a burden, in particular to those on fixed incomes. But there are already fixes in place to help the elderly, and other remedies are possible for others.

Moreover, whatever cuts you experience with Prop. 1 will likely be eaten up by higher appraisals in the future.

Texas’ tax code is in dire need of reform, but this cut does little to achieve that. In January, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy concluded that Texas was among the top 10 states having the most regressive tax policies. That means those least able pay more of a percentage of their income than do those who are most able.

It’s tempting to do otherwise, but vote no on Prop. 1. Your fellow Texans who can’t afford to buy a home will thank you.